RESIDENTS in Scrayingham are relieved that a proposed sewage treatment plant is to be built outside the settlement area of the village not inside.

An early plan suggested the plant would be best sited close to residential houses.

At a public consultation meeting in the village hall on November 8, Yorkshire Water project manager Gerry Smith said the first plan was generated based on an ideal engineering solution for the sewage plant.

But, he said, after looking at the site and taking on board comments from the public and the land owner, it is now thought that a site 200 yards outside of the village is more suitable for the sewage works.

Resident Mervin Stone has been a tireless campaigner on the subject of sewage in Scrayingham for many years.

He said: "From what I have seen of the plans, it all looks very acceptable in as far as the plant will be well out of the village boundary in an acceptable position.

"It is a step forward. It will be an advantage for those who care to use it."

Land owner George Winn Darley, who owns parts of the village, said he was pleased a mutually-agreed site had been chosen.

"It seems the most logical place to put it, really. It's sufficiently out of the way of everybody.

"I had rather hoped they might be a little more pro-active towards looking at a reed-bed filter system but they didn't seem to be very keen," he added.

Over 30 people turned out to look at the Yorkshire Water and Environment Agency project, which is expected to cost around £250,000. Mr Smith said work is set to start in the New Year and be completed at the end of 2002.

He said all houses which are connected to the public sewer will be able to utilise the new system at no extra cost to what they already pay for full annual sewerage charges.

And, Mr Smith said, householders who have private facilities will have the choice of staying as they are or paying to connect to the public sewer.

Chairman of Scrayingham parish council Les Allen said: "As far as I could see from Yorkshire Water, I don't see there is any problem now. It seems acceptable. I have never heard any adverse comments since."

But, he said, there are still things to finalise before work actually starts.

If you would like to find out more about the project, you can contact Yorkshire Water on (0845) 1242429, quoting reference PH755.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, November 15, 2001